New
face at Syringa Therapy ServicesPatients of Syringa Therapy Services may see a new but familiar face
during their next visit. Syringa
Hospital & Clinics is pleased to announce the addition of Melissa Lane,
D.P.T. to the team. Melissa will be working as a physical therapist
in the new Therapy Services building, seeing patients Tuesday through Friday.
Born and raised in Grangeville, Lane looks forward to treating patients
in her own hometown. “I am excited to have the opportunity to give
back. It is quite an experience to work with a patient who used to
be your teacher, for example” she smiled. After graduating from GHS
in 1997, Melissa received her B.S. degree in elementary education from
the University of Idaho in 2002. She was hired by the Cottonwood
School District where she instructed seventh and eighth grade math, reading
and health for a year and then taught first grade for a year.
Interested in the human body, exercise, and wellness, Lane decided
to pursue a career in the medical field. She began working as a physical
therapy aide prior to applying to Eastern Washington University where she
received her doctorate in physical therapy in June of 2009. She comes
with experience in outpatient care, skilled nursing, acute care and wound
therapy. When asked, Melissa says her favorite part of her job is
working with people. “It is so rewarding to work with a patient and
see improvement. My goal is to treat and educate patients for optimal
healing and recovery,” she stated.
Lane was a recipient of Syringa Hospital's Tuition Assistance Program
(TAP), during her final year of school. Funded by Syringa Hospital,
the Foundation and Auxiliary, TAP offers scholarships to young adults who
would like to return to the area to work for Syringa after they graduate
and have been licensed in their field of study. The idea for TAP
stemmed from an increasing need to recruit for hospital vacancies from
outside of the area. "We offer the program in an effort to "grow
our own" professionals", noted Laurie Rockwell, Syringa Hospital Foundation's
executive director and program coordinator for TAP. "People who come here
because they know the area, have family ties and enjoy the recreational
opportunities are likely to be satisfied professionally", she added.
A new career path was not the only change in Melissa’s life.
She recently married Brett Rogers who works as a smoke jumper out of the
Grangeville base. She and her husband are enjoying the process of
remodeling their own home. Lane also enjoys biking, swimming, running,
and baking. Her latest accomplishment was competing in the Couer
d’Alene Triathlon last month.
An open house and dessert auction will be held this Thursday
from 5-7 PM in the new Therapy Services and Women’s Health Center building
located at 711 W North Street in Grangeville, directly behind the hospital.
This will be a chance to meet Melissa, enjoy a delicious meal and tour
the newly renovated building.